Museum Volunteers of the Philipines: 20 years in the service of art

The Museum Volunteers of the Philippines (MVP) celebrates 20 years of service to Philippine museums by presenting, in partnership with the National Museum, "Silk and Brass, Highlights of the Datu Mastura Collection." Close to 40 malongs will be shown including some from the National Museum, as well as everyday households brass pieces from the National Museum’s anthropology division and the Jill Gale de Villa collection.

Datu Mastura is a direct descendant of Mindanao’s Sultan Kudarat. Many of the malongs – tubular skirts wrapped around the body – have their own story to tell. Part of the Mastura collection has been exhibited at the UCLA Fowler Museum of Cultural History in Los Angeles, California and at the University of Hawaii. This is the first time that it will be shown in Metro Manila.

Through this exhibit, the MVP hopes to familiarize the public with two Islamic weaving cultures of the Southern Philippines, the Magindanao and Maranao, whose historical and social settings are portrayed through the work of their hands and looms. In so doing, it may promote a new awareness and appreciation of the cultural and artistic achievements of the Muslim people.

The MVP is an independent non-profit organization which aims to provide voluntary assistance to local museums, promote friendship and understanding within its international membership and foster the study of Philippine history and culture as well as those of its Asian neighbors.

This exhibit will run through January 2002 at the Museum of the Filipino People, National Museum, Agrifina Circle, Manila. It is open daily, except Mondays, from 10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.